Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 1

Written Answers. - County Wexford School Teaching Complement.

Ivan Yates

Question:

154 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education if an additional teaching post will be sanctioned for a post-primary school (details supplied) in County Wexford so that all pupils who have applied for the transitional year will be able to avail of it; the plans, if any, she has to allocate disadvantaged status to this school so that it can obtain all associated benefits; the plans, if any, she has to fund the necessary improvement works that the school is linking up with the buildings associated with the primary school adjoining it; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The teacher allocation for a secondary school for a particular school year is made up of a number of elements as follows:

1. An allocation on the basis of the current pupil teacher ratio in respect of the enrolment at the end of the preceding September and

2. Ex-Quota and concessionary posts.

The teacher allocation for this school for the 1994-95 school year has been determined on this basis. It shows an increase of three posts over the allocation for the current school year. Two of these posts arise as a result of increased enrolments and the third post arises as a result of the vice-principal post being regarded as ex-quota in accordance with the provisions of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.

It is open to the school authorities to apply for an increase in the allocation on the basis of a projected increase in enrolments. Should such an application be received, it will be considered in the normal way.

This school is one of the schools which have applied for an additional post under the terms of the scheme for the allocation of additional posts to post-primary schools in disadvantaged areas. The school authorities will be advised in due course whether their application has been successful.

Schools receive an allocation of teaching resources and grants towards recurrent costs in respect of transition year students. The rate of capitation grant for secondary schools was increased by £8 per student from January 1994 and by £23 per student in the case of disadvantaged schools. The question of providing further resources for the transition year is under consideration in the Department at present.

No application has been received from the school in question regarding grant-aid for the provision of a link to the adjacent primary school building. If and when one is received it will be given detailed consideration.